Feliza is in a big kitchen, organising the other two cooks. Irob is there, watching everything with interest. Feliza flashes inquisitive looks at the warforged, but doesn't say anything.
She spies Yga, and rubs her hands on her apron.
"Looks like everything is under control. Gellan doesn't understand how changing the menu or changing the number of guests late in the day impacts the kitchen. It makes everything harder. Oh, not your fault, sorry," Feliza says quickly, seeing Yga about to apologise. "It happens more often than I would like, he's always having someone over at the last minute. Part of my job description anyway. So, the goss?"
From Feliza you get the following information:
Ned Shakeshaft is employed by the business, but rarely comes to the house for any length of time. Ned is said to be a womanizer and has loose morals. He does not have a trustworthy reputation around town.
Feliza doesn't get to interact a lot with others. She doesn't know anything about Gellan Primewater's business dealings.
Manaya is probably the person who knows the most about everything that goes on in the house. She doesn't like Ned Shakeshaft. She is fair in her dealings with staff. But not easy to get to know, very unlikely she will tell you anything on the first meeting.
Gellan is a good employer, he cares a lot about his reputation however. Any scandals amongst the staff are dealt with swiftly and termination of employment is the usual outcome.
Feliza is always looking for new recipes and specific ingredients for special dishes. Let her know if you are leaving Saltmarsh and she (or rather Gellan) will pay for you to collect flowers, seeds, spices, or other recipe ingredients in the area you are going to.
Yga will thank Feliza and nod empathically about her suspicions of Ned. Yga will ask her if there are any good conversation starters with Manaya or areas she may be interested in.
If appropriate, Yga will also pass on the blessings of Kord to Feliza....or a neutral blessing if not appropriate (ala Dave Allen - "May your God go with you")
Feliza thinks. "Manaya is a bit of a people watcher. I sometimes see her observing people out the window. Now I come to think of it, do you know that little disapproving pursing of the lips she does?" Yga remembers her expression at seeing a grinning Ned Shakeshaft.
"Yes, I've seen it," Yga replies.
"Well," said Feliza, in a tone that said she perhaps thought this was gossip, "It's probably an unconscious expression, but she does it whenever she sees a priest or acolyte of the Church of the Sea Mother. Pretty strange, hey?"
Feliza smiles at the blessing from Kord and accepts it. Then she frowns at a junior cook and berates him for not chopping onions fast enough.
Feliza thrusts a bowl of white viscous liquid with a whisk at Irob.
"If you're going to be standing in my kitchen, you can do something useful," she says. "Stir this until it becomes thick enough not to fall off the whisk."
Then she was off again, checking the smoking crab in another area.
Cathleen Primewater (Gellan's wife, beautiful and elegant)
Orble Primewater (Gellan's son and imports manager of Primewater)
Bethany Lassiter (Orble Primewater's partner, and member of the noble Lassiter family)
Carmilla Fireborn (daughter of councillor Eliander Fireborn, accountant for Primewater, and partner of Anders Solmer)
Dinner was served by staff on a dark wood table with delicate silver-framed oil lanterns lighting the room. First course was pickled stonefish - stonefish in the Azure Ocean are much larger than stonefish of other lands and has a distinct flavour and texture. The scent of eucalyptus and mint candles, ever present in Saltmarsh after dark - with some variations - to repel insects from the nearby Hool Marshes, is also noticed at first, but after a while the brain filters out the smell.
The second and main course was smoked crab meat with an avocado cream sauce (whisked expertly by Irob). The third course is dessert comprising glazed peeled tropical fruit.
The conversation flows easily - Gellan is skilled at keeping conversations going, and he is a good host, engaging everyone at the table, with the possible exception of his wife Cathleen who only gives short answers - although not in a rude way. You get the sense of her being a quiet person, happy to remain in the background. Some of the more intuitive of Amici Noctia notice she attentively watches everyone and listens carefully to everything.
Rask, surprising everyone, is also very active in the conversation. She raises the topic of the traditionalists and loyalists, and if working for Primewater would close off loyalist contracts or job offers. Gellan nods and considers his response.
"It is not open warfare between the factions, of course. Traditionalists and Loyalists msy share food and drink together, even families can be split. Why Carmilla here," he waves cheerily at Carmilla Fireborn, "is likely to be a staunch loyalist like her father. However I think it unlikely that a loyalist patron would balk at offering you employment, just because you have worked for a traditionalist like myself. Especially if you prove yourself capable and trustworthy. But it is possible some loyalists might not offer you the best deal because of your association with me. It makes more of a difference to those who work closer to the coalface, those who are afraid that their way of life - and profits - may change."
Information you get from the conversation:
Primewater (Gellan understandably called his company after himself) is the biggest merchant company in Saltmarsh.
Bethany Lassiter complains that her family are blocked by jealous nobles from being part of the Town Council.
Carmilla Fireborn is, in fact, a staunch loyalist, and it seems to make no difference to anyone at the table.
Gellan and Cathleen have another daughter, Elisa, who is "indisposed" and can't join the family for dinner, but later you find out she chose not to attend and is a bit of a rebel to her parents, often causing them grief.
Fisherfolk are getting less keen to fish at night. They complain of "weird creatures" in the water, and two small fishing boats have failed to return home. The boats were found drifting in the morning with no one onboard.
The silk and brandy are from a village called Uskarn, it is on an island south of Saltmarsh. Primewater is the biggest importer/exporter for Uskarn and they created a Primewater label of their famous brandy for him to import.
Gellan asks the party casually about the following topics:
Why did you come to Saltmarsh?
Where are you staying?
Where do you come from and what were you doing prior to coming to Saltmarsh?
Are you working for anyone at the moment?
If you are available for hire, Gellan would ask you to investigate certain problems, ones that might be too dangerous for Ned on his own.
After dinner there is a knock and the Town Guard sergeant is there, wanting a statement from Amici Noctia. Yakeerk agrees to go with the sergeant as he is known to the Town Guard and will give the party's version of events and how they came to capture the smugglers.
Zaerra speaks up to answer some of Gellan's questions. The group have noticed that she has been quieter than normal since the clash with the smugglers.
"I am staying at the Temple of Fharlanghn, where I have been doing some additional study. That is my reason for coming to Saltmarsh. I am not working for anyone as such but have banded together with my new friends to help where we can. "
The group now that she's given the barest of details so as not to seem rude.
Gellan nods and smiles his thanks. I know the High Priest of the Wanderer, Gerald Isslor, but not well. I do know he is very interested in cartography and distant lands so I can see why he would love having you stay at his temple. Gerald belongs to a ... I don't know.. club of some sort.. with Eliander and Krag and others. Carmilla, dear, what is it your father and Gerald and the others do at these meetings?
Carmilla flicks her dangling black locks back over her shoulder and replies.
"Oh Dad, Gerald, Krag the Undertaker, Wellgar Brinehanded, and Quin Aerakin formed the Saltmarsh Historical Society. They talk about old lore, history, shipwrecks, old maps and the like. It's all very boring."
Susk has been watching the various interactions at dinner, offering little to the conversation other than minor pleasantries and minimal conversation.
"I have come here from Myth Manaan, doing a little business trasnporting and trading small items for various parties. I am not working with anyone other than my companions here. Investigting Makaster House was our first undertaking together." While Susk does not aovid the question, it is obviousl it is purposefully vague in detail
Susk sits back following this, hoping others come in with something that Gellan finds more interesting to pursue.
"I'm sure your abilities come in useful for your team. I have had some dealings with your people as part of my role of councillor . As you know Saltmarsh and other coastal communities have borders for fishing so we don't encroach on each other's prime fishing zones. Sometimes one side or the other may cross those borders and delegates from both sides meet to smooth things over."
Yga feels the need to join in so as not to appear rude, and perhaps keep the information flowing...
"I heeded the call to come to the Saltmarsh chapter of Kord's order. I have experience in setting up orphanages for orphans of bar room brawls. If only their parents had worshipped Kord and were taught the ways of squirrel grips, eye gouges and figure four leg locks. They may not have been orphans. But today's orphans are tomorrow's children of Kord, is what I say and that's how it is that I am here in Saltmarsh."
Gellan blinks. "Err.. quite." He swallows, perhaps imagining squirrel grips, eye gouges, and figure four leg locks.
"High Priest Nestor Tabi's battle services are popular, I hear," he continues, moving back to safe ground. "I've not been, but I hear they are exciting."
The others of Amici Noctia give similar vague answers to Gellan's questions, but he does not seem perturbed in the least. You get the sense he approves, that they do not overshare with someone they have only just met. Conversation drifts to other things.
Gellan has good people skills.
His wife Cathleen is observant and quick minded, despite wanting to give an impression of being disinterested and ordinary.
His son Orble is nothing special, likely good at administration, but not brave or clever.
Orble's girlfriend Bethany Lassiter is negative and jaded. You can tell she probably wears the pants in the relationship.
Carmilla Fireborn is educated, engaging, and opinionated. She could be a force in Saltwater politics in the future, should she choose that path.
Finally the night comes to a close. Gellan advises that it is a good idea you go through Makaster House and nullify any threats to citizens. Then an engineer will be sent to see if the structure can be repurposed, or if it should be left abandoned.
Ned turns up again, before the night is done, and reports all of Gellan's stolen goods have been secured and returned to his warehouse. The tax inspectors are already asking for paperwork. Gellan sighs. "That's your job, Orble." Orble sighs in response.
"Manaya will see you out," just as the house steward opens the door and enters the dining hall. Her timing couldn't have been better and you suspect maybe she was awaiting that cue from Gellan.
"With your permission I may engage you on behalf of my business, or even on behalf of the Town Council," and smiles as everyone nods. "Farewell, and thank you."
Manaya accompanies you to the front door and opens in for you. The night is mild with a slight northerly breeze. The smell of eucalyptus mixed with other scents is strong.
Manaya seems tired and neutral. She wishes you a good night.
Zaerra paused at the door, she turns to Manaya, placing a gentle hand on her arm. "May I have a moment of your time Manaya? I believe you are the one I am to pass this message onto or get help from. "
In hushed tones she explains about the strange signs found on the bodies, showing her the crude drawings she has made, of the two different signs they have found recently on the bodies of those who attacked Susk as well as the body on the beach.
"Do these mean something to you? The Wanderer implied you may be able to help us. "
Manaya's eyes go wide, she closes Zaerra's hands over the drawings. She seems stunned for a few seconds. Then she speaks.
"Not here! Do not let anyone see these," she whispers urgently. "I need to take advice about this, and I will come meet you at the Snapping Line tomorrow night. I will explain!"
She goes inside and closes the door, leaving Amici Noctia on the waterfront.
Few fishing boats are fishing at night, and of those that are they are all the larger boats. Some fish can only be caught at night, like Black Grouper, Arrow Squid, and Conger Eel. These fish are starting to skyrocket in price with less coming on the market.
You wake to an overcast day with sporadic rainfall. It's the south coast so it is not cold rain or miserable, but you can get soaked pretty quickly if you spend any time outside. You all decide to wait for a break in the weather before heading back to Makaster House.
You wait in the Snapping Line inn and tavern, in a private room provided by Hannah Rist. Now you can prepare spells, do any identify magic on the items you brought back, or any other preparations.
Yakeerk gives you an update about what happened last night after he left to make a report on behalf of the party:
"The prisoners are being kept in the jail. Sanbalet was still unconscious but the other two - not more than lads really - were given a rough time. I can't blame the guards too much, some of them lost friends and family to Sea Prince raiders, so some of that resentment spilled out in their handling of them. Anyway they admitted to smuggling and to being part of the Sea Princes. They deny other involvement in raiding or other activities. They were at Makaster House waiting for their ship The Sea Ghost to appear, and apparently there is a lantern to signal them that all is ok. The Sea Ghost is apparently picking up more contraband somewhere and is returning to pick up the silk and brandy, although they deny any knowledge of it being stolen, but that doesn't mean anything. They are just the bottom tier of the crew, just doing what they are told. We'll learn more when Sanbalet is interrogated."
The party talk about their tactics at Makaster House yesterday, what they learned, what they could have done better. Everyone reflects on their experience.
DM:
110xp each for recovering stolen goods and Role Play the dinner. Welcome to Level 2!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Yga will make polite conversation, but excuse herself discreetly to press Feliza for any relevant info.
"Hey girlfriend, where did you get those fishing sinker earrings? They look fab....." etc etc etc "So, what's the goss?"
Feliza is in a big kitchen, organising the other two cooks. Irob is there, watching everything with interest. Feliza flashes inquisitive looks at the warforged, but doesn't say anything.
She spies Yga, and rubs her hands on her apron.
"Looks like everything is under control. Gellan doesn't understand how changing the menu or changing the number of guests late in the day impacts the kitchen. It makes everything harder. Oh, not your fault, sorry," Feliza says quickly, seeing Yga about to apologise. "It happens more often than I would like, he's always having someone over at the last minute. Part of my job description anyway. So, the goss?"
From Feliza you get the following information:
Yga will thank Feliza and nod empathically about her suspicions of Ned. Yga will ask her if there are any good conversation starters with Manaya or areas she may be interested in.
If appropriate, Yga will also pass on the blessings of Kord to Feliza....or a neutral blessing if not appropriate (ala Dave Allen - "May your God go with you")
Feliza thinks. "Manaya is a bit of a people watcher. I sometimes see her observing people out the window. Now I come to think of it, do you know that little disapproving pursing of the lips she does?" Yga remembers her expression at seeing a grinning Ned Shakeshaft.
"Yes, I've seen it," Yga replies.
"Well," said Feliza, in a tone that said she perhaps thought this was gossip, "It's probably an unconscious expression, but she does it whenever she sees a priest or acolyte of the Church of the Sea Mother. Pretty strange, hey?"
Feliza smiles at the blessing from Kord and accepts it. Then she frowns at a junior cook and berates him for not chopping onions fast enough.
Standing in the kitchen Irob will take an unoccupied corner to himself and observe the goings on to the best of his abilities.
Feliza thrusts a bowl of white viscous liquid with a whisk at Irob.
"If you're going to be standing in my kitchen, you can do something useful," she says. "Stir this until it becomes thick enough not to fall off the whisk."
Then she was off again, checking the smoking crab in another area.
Present at dinner are:
Dinner was served by staff on a dark wood table with delicate silver-framed oil lanterns lighting the room. First course was pickled stonefish - stonefish in the Azure Ocean are much larger than stonefish of other lands and has a distinct flavour and texture. The scent of eucalyptus and mint candles, ever present in Saltmarsh after dark - with some variations - to repel insects from the nearby Hool Marshes, is also noticed at first, but after a while the brain filters out the smell.
The second and main course was smoked crab meat with an avocado cream sauce (whisked expertly by Irob). The third course is dessert comprising glazed peeled tropical fruit.
The conversation flows easily - Gellan is skilled at keeping conversations going, and he is a good host, engaging everyone at the table, with the possible exception of his wife Cathleen who only gives short answers - although not in a rude way. You get the sense of her being a quiet person, happy to remain in the background. Some of the more intuitive of Amici Noctia notice she attentively watches everyone and listens carefully to everything.
Rask, surprising everyone, is also very active in the conversation. She raises the topic of the traditionalists and loyalists, and if working for Primewater would close off loyalist contracts or job offers. Gellan nods and considers his response.
"It is not open warfare between the factions, of course. Traditionalists and Loyalists msy share food and drink together, even families can be split. Why Carmilla here," he waves cheerily at Carmilla Fireborn, "is likely to be a staunch loyalist like her father. However I think it unlikely that a loyalist patron would balk at offering you employment, just because you have worked for a traditionalist like myself. Especially if you prove yourself capable and trustworthy. But it is possible some loyalists might not offer you the best deal because of your association with me. It makes more of a difference to those who work closer to the coalface, those who are afraid that their way of life - and profits - may change."
Information you get from the conversation:
Gellan asks the party casually about the following topics:
If you are available for hire, Gellan would ask you to investigate certain problems, ones that might be too dangerous for Ned on his own.
After dinner there is a knock and the Town Guard sergeant is there, wanting a statement from Amici Noctia. Yakeerk agrees to go with the sergeant as he is known to the Town Guard and will give the party's version of events and how they came to capture the smugglers.
Zaerra speaks up to answer some of Gellan's questions. The group have noticed that she has been quieter than normal since the clash with the smugglers.
"I am staying at the Temple of Fharlanghn, where I have been doing some additional study. That is my reason for coming to Saltmarsh. I am not working for anyone as such but have banded together with my new friends to help where we can. "
The group now that she's given the barest of details so as not to seem rude.
Gellan nods and smiles his thanks. I know the High Priest of the Wanderer, Gerald Isslor, but not well. I do know he is very interested in cartography and distant lands so I can see why he would love having you stay at his temple. Gerald belongs to a ... I don't know.. club of some sort.. with Eliander and Krag and others. Carmilla, dear, what is it your father and Gerald and the others do at these meetings?
Carmilla flicks her dangling black locks back over her shoulder and replies.
"Oh Dad, Gerald, Krag the Undertaker, Wellgar Brinehanded, and Quin Aerakin formed the Saltmarsh Historical Society. They talk about old lore, history, shipwrecks, old maps and the like. It's all very boring."
Susk has been watching the various interactions at dinner, offering little to the conversation other than minor pleasantries and minimal conversation.
"I have come here from Myth Manaan, doing a little business trasnporting and trading small items for various parties. I am not working with anyone other than my companions here. Investigting Makaster House was our first undertaking together." While Susk does not aovid the question, it is obviousl it is purposefully vague in detail
Susk sits back following this, hoping others come in with something that Gellan finds more interesting to pursue.
Gellan nods at Susk.
"I'm sure your abilities come in useful for your team. I have had some dealings with your people as part of my role of councillor . As you know Saltmarsh and other coastal communities have borders for fishing so we don't encroach on each other's prime fishing zones. Sometimes one side or the other may cross those borders and delegates from both sides meet to smooth things over."
Yga feels the need to join in so as not to appear rude, and perhaps keep the information flowing...
"I heeded the call to come to the Saltmarsh chapter of Kord's order. I have experience in setting up orphanages for orphans of bar room brawls. If only their parents had worshipped Kord and were taught the ways of squirrel grips, eye gouges and figure four leg locks. They may not have been orphans. But today's orphans are tomorrow's children of Kord, is what I say and that's how it is that I am here in Saltmarsh."
Gellan blinks. "Err.. quite." He swallows, perhaps imagining squirrel grips, eye gouges, and figure four leg locks.
"High Priest Nestor Tabi's battle services are popular, I hear," he continues, moving back to safe ground. "I've not been, but I hear they are exciting."
The others of Amici Noctia give similar vague answers to Gellan's questions, but he does not seem perturbed in the least. You get the sense he approves, that they do not overshare with someone they have only just met. Conversation drifts to other things.
Finally the night comes to a close. Gellan advises that it is a good idea you go through Makaster House and nullify any threats to citizens. Then an engineer will be sent to see if the structure can be repurposed, or if it should be left abandoned.
Ned turns up again, before the night is done, and reports all of Gellan's stolen goods have been secured and returned to his warehouse. The tax inspectors are already asking for paperwork. Gellan sighs. "That's your job, Orble." Orble sighs in response.
"Manaya will see you out," just as the house steward opens the door and enters the dining hall. Her timing couldn't have been better and you suspect maybe she was awaiting that cue from Gellan.
"With your permission I may engage you on behalf of my business, or even on behalf of the Town Council," and smiles as everyone nods. "Farewell, and thank you."
Manaya accompanies you to the front door and opens in for you. The night is mild with a slight northerly breeze. The smell of eucalyptus mixed with other scents is strong.
Manaya seems tired and neutral. She wishes you a good night.
Zaerra paused at the door, she turns to Manaya, placing a gentle hand on her arm. "May I have a moment of your time Manaya? I believe you are the one I am to pass this message onto or get help from. "
In hushed tones she explains about the strange signs found on the bodies, showing her the crude drawings she has made, of the two different signs they have found recently on the bodies of those who attacked Susk as well as the body on the beach.
"Do these mean something to you? The Wanderer implied you may be able to help us. "
Manaya's eyes go wide, she closes Zaerra's hands over the drawings. She seems stunned for a few seconds. Then she speaks.
"Not here! Do not let anyone see these," she whispers urgently. "I need to take advice about this, and I will come meet you at the Snapping Line tomorrow night. I will explain!"
She goes inside and closes the door, leaving Amici Noctia on the waterfront.
Few fishing boats are fishing at night, and of those that are they are all the larger boats. Some fish can only be caught at night, like Black Grouper, Arrow Squid, and Conger Eel. These fish are starting to skyrocket in price with less coming on the market.
You make your way back to the Snapping Line and go to bed.
You wake to an overcast day with sporadic rainfall. It's the south coast so it is not cold rain or miserable, but you can get soaked pretty quickly if you spend any time outside. You all decide to wait for a break in the weather before heading back to Makaster House.
You wait in the Snapping Line inn and tavern, in a private room provided by Hannah Rist. Now you can prepare spells, do any identify magic on the items you brought back, or any other preparations.
Yakeerk gives you an update about what happened last night after he left to make a report on behalf of the party:
"The prisoners are being kept in the jail. Sanbalet was still unconscious but the other two - not more than lads really - were given a rough time. I can't blame the guards too much, some of them lost friends and family to Sea Prince raiders, so some of that resentment spilled out in their handling of them. Anyway they admitted to smuggling and to being part of the Sea Princes. They deny other involvement in raiding or other activities. They were at Makaster House waiting for their ship The Sea Ghost to appear, and apparently there is a lantern to signal them that all is ok. The Sea Ghost is apparently picking up more contraband somewhere and is returning to pick up the silk and brandy, although they deny any knowledge of it being stolen, but that doesn't mean anything. They are just the bottom tier of the crew, just doing what they are told. We'll learn more when Sanbalet is interrogated."
The party talk about their tactics at Makaster House yesterday, what they learned, what they could have done better. Everyone reflects on their experience.
DM:
110xp each for recovering stolen goods and Role Play the dinner. Welcome to Level 2!